As we inch closer to spring, it’s starting to get more and more common to see people out on the trails on their mountain bikes. Everyone has been patiently waiting for the trails to get dry enough to ride, and the time is almost here!. It’s important to recognize that trails in the early spring can be especially dangerous because of ruts caused by people who didn’t wait for them to dry up. Whether you’re just getting some miles in on the Greenbelt to get in shape or are out on the trails, injuries are a common occurrence in mountain biking. Below, we at Idaho Medical Academy outline the most common mountain biking injuries and how to prevent them!
Scratches & Cuts
Scratches and cuts, also known as skin abrasions, are easily one of the most common injuries in the sport of mountain biking. It can happen from falling off your bike into a bush or a pile of rocks, or it could be something as simple as a tree branch scraping your arm as you ride past. The easiest way to prevent skin abrasions is to wear long sleeves. The majority of cuts and scratches you’ll get will be on your arms, so they’re the most important thing to protect. Knee pads are also a good idea, as you could skid your knees if you’re falling.
Back Pain
Another very common problem is back pain while riding. All mountain bikers have felt this before – You have a long ride and start to get a slight, frustrating pain in your lower back. To prevent this type of back pain, it’s important to be on a bike that fits you perfect. This includes having the right frame size, saddle height, crank length, handlebar width and height, and much more. For best results, you should consider visiting a bike shop to have your bike adjusted to a better fit.
Broken Collar Bone
A third common injury in mountain biking is a broken collarbone. This is generally caused by performing an “endo”, or going over your handlebars. Landing with your hands out or on your shoulder can cause a broken collarbone. Unfortunately, the only real way to prevent this is to try and not land with your hands stretched out when you’re falling.
At Idaho Medical Academy, we realize you can’t prevent every potential injury, but you can be prepared for them. We instruct courses for EMT’s, basic medical training, CPR, and many more. Be sure to contact us with any questions you might have on our medical courses, we are always more than happy to answer your questions. Check out Idaho Medical Academy today!
